Brainstorming begins on Meigs

Group again touts proposal to include airstrip with park

The Chicago Park District Saturday found a use for the former Meigs Field terminal building--as the spot to launch sessions on developing Northerly Island.

More than 60 people discussed their ideas for a showcase lakefront park on the site where Mayor Richard Daley orchestrated the destruction of Meigs' general aviation runway in March 2003.

Daley and district officials envision a nature park. Nevertheless, Friends of Meigs Field again touted its Parks and Planes proposal, combining a new Meigs Field and aviation museum with a nature park.

"They say they are trying to reach out for the input of the citizens of Chicago," said Steve Whitney, president of the group. "We are going to try to work with them to see if they are acting in good faith."

The combination airport and park could be built with federal airport funds and generate a $100 million windfall the district could use elsewhere, Whitney said.

Timothy Mitchell, general superintendent for the district, was cool to the idea. "I am general superintendent of the Park District, and I am interested in a park at Northerly Island," he said.

"There are no parks where airstrips are a compatible use," said Arnold Randall, the district director of planning and development who led the brainstorming session. "Typically, park spaces are places you can go and escape from urban life and noises."

Saturday's session was the first of seven to be held across the city.

The district then will put together concepts to present at a second set of public forums. Final plans will be implemented in stages over several years.

The city used $1.49 million in federal grants and airline passenger tax revenue to rip out Meigs' runway, restore the land and plant wildflowers and trees. Northerly Island, actually a 78-acre peninsula, opened to the public in July.

Part of the peninsula will be used next year for family oriented concerts and plays to generate $800,000 for operations and planning. The former terminal will become a visitor's center in March.

Robbie Hunsinger, founder and coordinator of the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors program that each spring and fall rescues hundreds of migrating birds that crash into lakefront buildings, suggested a bird nature and rehabilitation center.